Baseball can be a cruel game. Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon is living that reality right now.
A year ago, he was on a path that would lead him to his first All-Star Game. Sunday, in the Rockies’ 8-1 loss to Cincinnati, he didn’t start and didn’t play. Manager Bud Black hopes a short respite will lift McMahon out of his funk. McMahon had started all of the Rockies’ first 26 games.
The third baseman understands that he has been a big part of the problem in Colorado’s historically poor 4-23 start.
“I’ve got to start producing, got to start helping the team,” McMahon said late Saturday night after going 0 for 4 in the Rockies’ 6-4 loss to the Reds. “I can’t be in the three-hole, doing what I’m doing.”
What he’s done in his previous 14 games was next to nothing. He hit 2 for 50 (.040) with 10 walks and 25 strikeouts. His 36.4% K rate has led to 40 strikeouts, the most in the National League entering Sunday’s play.
“’Mac’ is built to play every day,” Black said. “I mean, he’s in a tough spot. He’s ahead of the off-speed pitch and behind the fastballs. His timing is off. Hopefully with (Sunday) off, we’ll rest him and get him going against Atlanta.”
The Rockies host the Braves for a three-game series beginning Monday at Coors Field.
At this point last season, McMahon was slashing .306/.386/.449 with three home runs and 14 RBIs with a K rate of 27%. Entering Sunday, he was slashing .160/.273/.255 with two homers and four RBIs.
When Rockies icon Charlie Blackmon retired at the end of last season, it was left to left-hander Kyle Freeland and McMahon to increase their leadership roles. Even though he’s struggling at the plate, McMahon relishes that role.
“I think I do a good job just showing up and being the same guy,” McMahon said. “There are a lot of things that (young players) don’t have their heads completely wrapped around on a daily basis. So I’m still trying to be there, to give them answers if they need help.
“Just because I’m not playing well doesn’t mean that I don’t have a grasp on different things. So I’m still trying to be a sounding board for them.”
As for the worst slump of his career, McMahon said it won’t take much to snap out of it.
“It takes one pitch, man, one pitch to get a feeling back,” McMahon said.
Roster shuffle. Before Sunday’s game, Colorado made several roster moves, including a trade to acquire veteran utility infielder Alan Trejo, who started at shortstop on Sunday. Colorado acquired infielder Alan Trejo from Texas late Saturday for cash considerations.
To make room on the 26-man roster, catcher Braxton Fulford was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Also, oft-injured lefty reliever Lucas Gilbreath was designated for assignment to clear space for Trejo on the 40-man roster.
Additionally, right-handed reliever Jaden Hill was optioned to the minors so the Rockies could start right-hander Bradley Blalock on Sunday. Blalock was needed because right-hander Ryan Feltner, initially slated to start Sunday’s game, needed an extra day off to recover from mile back spasms.
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